Machine for stamping and sealing envelops.



N0. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27, |900.

F. J. HWTT 8L C. H. BRIDUX.

MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALING EVELPSl (Application led Fab. 4, 1899,)

(No Model.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 644, 075. Patented Feb. 27, |900. F. J. HEWITT & C. H. BRIDOUX.

MACHINE FR STAMPING AND SE/ALING ENVELPS.

(Application med Feb. 4, 1699.) (No Model.) I3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27, |900. F. J. HEWITT & H. BRIDDUX. MACHINE FOR STAMPINGVAND SEALINGl ENVELDPS.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

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1HE Nonms PETERS cn, PNoTo-Lwwo...wAsmNsTom nA No. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27, |900.

F. J. HEWITT. G. C. H. BRIDOUX. MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALINf:` ENVELOPS.

(Application med Feb. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) I3 Sheets-Sheet 4.

m w W T c, THe Normes PETERS ce mow-mwa., WASHING oN. n

No. 044,075. VPatented F80-"21; |900.

F. J. HEwITT 0. c. H. Bm00ux.

MACHINE FR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

(Application led Feb. 9 (No Model.) I3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27, |900.

F. J. HEWITT &. C. H. BRIDOUX, MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELUPS.

' (Application filed Feb. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) v I3 Sheeis-Sheet 6.

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No. 644,075. Pmnted Feb. 27, |900.

F. J. Hr-:wlTT 0 c. H.. Bmnoux. MAGHINE'FOR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

v (Application filed Feb. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) I3 Sheets-Sheet 7.

I3 Sheets-Sheet 3 No. 644,075. Patented Feb.- 27, |900'. F. .Lm-:wm s. c. H. Bmnoux. MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

(Application med Feb. 4, 1899.)

(No Modell) RMN Tu: cams mns co.. Rufo-mno., wAsHmcrrou, u. c.

No. 644,075. l Panama' Feb. 27, |000. F .1. HEwlTT 0 0. H. Bm00ux. MACHINE FR STAMPING AND SELING lENVELPS.

(Applicatio med Feb. 4, 1899.)

la shm-sheef 9 (No Model 1H: Ncnms PETERS co PN No. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27,1900. F. J. HEWITT C.'H. BRIDUUX. MACHINE FOR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

'(Appuction med Fab. 4, 1899.)

(No Model.)

I3 Sheets--Sheet I0.

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No. $44,075. Patented Feb. 27,1900.

F. J. H'EWITTGyC. H. BRIDUUX. MACHINE FR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1899.)

(No ModeI.) I3 Sheets-Sheet IL No. 644,075. Patented Feb. 27, [900.

r. HEwxTT a c. H. Bmnoux.

MACHINE FOB STAMPIN AND SEALING ENVELOPS.

(Application led Feb. 4, 1899.`) (No Model.) v I3 Sheets-Sheet l2.

No. 044,075. Patented Feb. 27, |900. F. .1. HEwITT 0 c. H. Bmnoux. MACHINE FR STAMPING AND SEALING ENVELPS.

(Application led Feb. 4, 1899.)

(No Model.) I3 Sheets-Sheet I3.

1N: Numzrs PETERS co., PHoTaL'xTHo., wAsHINcToN. n. c.

. UNrrRn STATES PATENT ruina.

FREDERICK J. HEWIT'I AND CHARLES I-I. BRIDOUX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE HEVVITT SEALER AND STAMPER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR STAMPING Ann SEALING ENvELoPs.

sPnciricTIoN rc1-ming part of Letters Patent No. 644,075, dated February 27, 1900. Application led February 4, 1899. Serial No. 704,483. (No model.)

To MZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that we, FREDERICK J. HEWITT and CHARLES H. BRIDOUX, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Stamping and Sealing Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

1o This invention relates to that class of machines which are used for the purpose of at'- xing a postage-stamp toan envelop and sealing the flap and body of the envelop together.

The principal object of our invention is to I5 provide a simple, economical, and efficient machine for the purpose of afixing a postagestamp to an envelop and sealing the iiap and body of the envelop together.

A further object of the invention is to prozo vide a simple, economical,and efficient stamping and sealing machine,with means for feeding a strip of postage-stamps into the machine and cutting them off one by one and aflixing them to envelops.

Further objects of the invention will appear from an examination of the drawings and the following description and claims.

The invention consists principally in the combination of means for holding an envelop 3o in position to be operated upon, means for holding a stamp or stamps in position, means for moistening either the stamp or the envelop, and means for afiixing a stamp to the envelop.

The invention consists, further, in the combination of means for holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, means for coniining and guiding a strip of stamps, means for applying moisture to the envelop, means 4o for feeding a strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, means for cutting a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, and means for discharging the envelop.

The invention consists, further, in the combination of means for holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, means for applying moisturev to the envelop, so as to persealing the same, means for aflixing the flap 5o to the envelop, and means for discharging the sealed envelop.

The invention consists further in an organized machine in which there is combined means for holding au envelop in position to be operated upon, means for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, means for applying moisture to one of such parts, (the stamp 0r the envelop,) means for cutting a stamp from the strip and afiixing it to the envelop, 6o means for moistening the envelop to seal the gummed iiap, and means for sealing the gum med flap and body portion together.

The invention consists, further 'and finally, v in the features, combinations, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of one form of machine embodying our improvements; Fig. 2, a detail 7o view of the lower portion of the vertical rack; Fig. 3, a sectional'detail taken on the lines 3 of Figs. 4 and 8. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan View of the machine; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional plan view of the machine, taken on the lines 5 of Figs. 1 and 9; Fig. 6, a plan sectional vieW of the machine, taken on the lines 6 of Figs. 1 and 9; Fig. 7, a side elevation of the machine looking at it from the right-hand side of Fig. 1 With the supporting-frame left 8o out; Fig. 8, a longitudinal sectional elevation of a portion of the mechanisms, taken on the' lines 8 of Figs. 1, 5, 7, and 9; Fig. 9, a crossseetional elevationA taken on the lines 9 of Figs. 4, 6, and S. Fig. 10 is a sectional de- 85 tail of a portion of the mechanism, taken on the lines l() of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. ll, a similar view taken on the lines l1 of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. l2, a cross-sectional elevation taken on the lines 12 of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 13, a 9o similar vieW to Fig. 12, showing the mechanism in a different position. Fig. 14 is a sectional diagram taken partly on the lines 14 of Figs. 6 and 7 and partly on the lines 9 of the same figures; Fig. 15, la similar view to that shown in Fig. 14, but illustrating the mechanisms in a different position; Fig. 16,

mit the atiixing of the iiap to the envelop and i a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 16 of Figs. G, 7, and 20; Fig. 17, a detail elevation of a portion of the mechanism, taken on the lines 17 of Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 18 is a plan view of a portion of the stamp-tube shown in elevation directly above the figure; Fig. 19, a cross-sectional elevation taken on the lines 19 of Figs. G, 7, and 20; Fig. 20, a sectional elevation of a portion of the mechanism, taken on lines 2O of Figs. G and 19; Fig. 21, an elevation of a portion of the mechanism, taken on line 21 of Fig. 19; Fig. 22, a sectional elevation of a portion of the mechanism, taken on lines 22 of Figs. 5, 6, 10, and 23; Fig. 23, a sectional elevation of a portion of the mechanism, taken on lines 25 of Figs. G, 20, and 22; Fig. 2l, a sectional detail taken on line 24: of Fig. 28; and Fig. 25, a crosssectional elevation taken on lines 25 of Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

In the art to which this invention relates it is well known that the process of moistening the gummed flap of an envelop, sealing the same, meisten ing the postage-stamps, and aflixing them to the envelop is a laborious and expensive operation, in that as these processes are carried out by hand it compels mercantile houses to give up a large amount of valuable space to accommodate the great numbers of operators required to perform this Work. Further, it is Well known that the task is not only a laborious and expensive one, but also a disagreeable one. The principal object of our invention therefore is to provide a simple, economical, and e'fiicient organized machine Which Will remove these objections and in one machine affix a stamp to the envelop and sea-l the saine, all of which Will more fully hereinafter appear.

In constructing a machine in accordance with our improvements We provide a frame A of the desired size, shape, and strength to sustain and hold the operative and other parts in position for use. rThis frame is supported upon standards A', as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, though these standards may be dispensed with and the machine supported upon an ordinary bench or otherwise, as may be desirable or necessary.

In order to hold the envelop in position forstamping and to have its iiap moistened, a horizontal table B is provided, which is secured to the frame transversely thereof and arranged in such manner that an envelop X, as shown in Figs. 'l2 and 15, may be held thereon in position to be operated uponthat is, to be moistened, have a stamp affixed thereto, and have its tiap moistened, all of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth. The first step in this method is to provide means for securely holding the envelop, applying moisture thereto, and then affixing a stamp to the moistened part of the envelop. In order to accomplish this result, we provide a vertically-movable platen C, which is adapted to be raised and lowered so as to grasp an envelop between it and the table and hold it in position while the moisture and stamp are being applied to one corner of its 'face and, as more fully hereinafter described, While the flap is being moistened. In order to give this platen its vertical movements, a driving-cam shaft D is provided, which practically carries all of the cam mechanisms of the machine. On this shaft, and preferably near one end, is mounted whatwe term the platen-cam c,arranged to contact a vibrating lever C, which has one end pivoted to the frame at c and its free end pivotally connected at c2 with a downwardly-extending arm C2 of the platen. A helically-coiled spring c3 is secured to the frame and to the vibratinglever of the platen, so as to normally hold the vibrating lever and the platen in its downward position, While the rotations of the driving-cam shaft and the cam serve to raise the platen to its elevated or free position.

IVhen the platen is held in its down position, so as to grasp an envelop between it and the table, it is desirable and preferable that one corner of the envelop on its face should be moistened so as to receive an ordinary postage-stamp. In order to accomplish this result, what We term a moistening-lever E is provided, having at one end a pocket in which a piece of sponge or absorbent material e may be held and which in one position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 22, is arranged to receive a supply of moisture from a tank e through the medium of the pipe e2. In these figures the moistening-lever, with its absorbent or moisture-holding material, is in position away from the envelop, so that it lnust be operated to moisten the envelop, and in order to do this a slide-bar E is provided, which is mounted on the under side of the table and engages With an extending arm on the moistening-lever. This slide-barili turn is engaged by a bell-crank lever E2, (see Fig. 5,) which has a downwardly-depending arm e2, (see Fig. 9,) arranged to be operated upon by a face-cam E3, which vibrates this bellcrank lever and through it reciprocates the slide-bar, vibrating as well the moisteninglever, so as to bring it into position directly under and in contact with the corner face of an envelop. A helically-coiled spring e3 is provided, which is secured to the frame of the machine and to one end of the moistening-lever and which tends to hold the parts in their inoperative position, While the rotations of the cam E3 on the driving-cam shaft positively aetuate the moistening-lever to rmove it into its operative position.

To affix a postage-stamp to the envelop, a vertically-movable plunger F is provided and arranged in suitable guides f, suspended by and depending from the table portion (see Figs. 19 and 22) and at one corner thereof in line with an opening f. (See Fig. 5.) The stamps are fed in in strips through a stamp- `tube F', (see Figs. 16 and 18,) and it is necessary to cut them off as Well as to aiiix them to the envelop. vIn order to accomplish this result, the upper part of the aflixing-plunger is IIO provided with a cutter f2, which cuts the stamp at its point of attachment to the next adj acentstamp. In order to give this cutting and affixing plunger its proper vertical movements, a rock-shaft Gis provided, which has a lever-arm G extending out therefrom on one end thereof, so as to be contacted by a cam g', which is arranged on the driving-cam shaft. The other end of the rock-shaft is provided with a lever-arm G2, which has its free end slotted, as at g2, to contact a pin f3 on the cutting and affixing plunger, (see Fig. 19,) so that as the driving-cam shaft rotates the rock-shaft is vibrated and through its lever-arm moves the cutting and aftixing plunger at the proper times to cut and press a postage-stamp against the envelop and affix it thereto. To move the cutting and aflxing plunger downwardly, a second cutting and aftixing cam g3 is provided and mounted upon the driving-cam shaft, (see Fig. 16,) so as to contact the pin f3 and during its rotations move the pin, with its plunger, downwardly.

It is necessary in order to facilitate the process of afiixin g the stamps to the envelops that the stamps be fed in in strips or sheets. We prefer to feed them in in strips, and it is also desirable to feed these strips in step by step the distance of the length or width of a stamp as a stamp is cut off and affixed to the envelop. vWe have described the method of cutting off a stamp and affixing it to an envelop and will now proceed to describe the means or mechanism for feeding the stamps into position step by step. In order to do this, the stamp-tube F above described is slotted in its upper and lower portions to admit pincers or fingers H and H through such slots to contact the strip of stamps h. (Indicated by the heavy dark line in Fig. 19.) These fingers have lateral as well as vertical motions-that is, after they pinch the stamp they must be moved forward so as to move the strip of stamps forward. Then when they are released from contact with the stamp it is necessary to move them backward to their normal positions, and to accomplish this latter result they are mounted in and on a rightangular sliding bar which we will term the stamp-feed bar H2 and vertically movably mounted therein. This feeding sliding bar is slidably mounted, as shown at h2, on the base of the machine,so that its backwardly-proj ecting angular portion h5 may be contacted by a cam t4,(see Fig. 16,) which moves it backward.

l A spring h5 is arranged to engage therewith and with the base portion, so as to move it in an opposite manner, and thus at the proper times, according to the timing of the cam on the driving-cam shaft, this slide, with the fingers, is moved backward and forward. To move these fingers upward and downward at the proper times and grasp and release the strip of stamps, a lever I is provided and pivotally mounted upon a lug I. This lever is slotted, as at 17, (see Fig. 19,) so as to receive the lower finger-bar and contact its pins 7L and k7. This lever is kept atits proper limit of motion by means of the helical spring i and is moved downward by having a cam I2 on the driving-cam shaft contact a roller i2 on the lever. (See Fig. 19.) It will therefore be seen that this cam and coiled spring, acting on the said lever, move the lower tinger upward and downward at the proper time. The upper finger is given its vertical movements in an opposite manner and simultaneously with the lower finger by means of the lever I3, which is connected with the gripping-lever by means of the link 3 (see Fig. 23) and has its free end slotted, as at 4, to engage with a screw i5 on the upper fingerbar and move it up and down in its ways i6. These levers form a compound lever, as it were, and are so arranged that during their movements they move the lower finger up and the upper finger down and the lower finger down and the upper finger up simultaneously and act to grip the stamp strip, while the feeding-slide moves the same forward when the fingers are gripping the same and backward when they have released the strip of stamps.

To limit the backward movements of the slide H2, and thus regulate the length of its movement and compensate for the differences in length or width of stamp, a stop-screw H4 is provided and mounted in a bracket H5, which is secured to the frame of the machine in such a manner that the location or position of this stop-screw limits the feeding movements of the parts and consequently permits the use of different-sized stamps.

We have now described the means for holding the envelop, moistening it to receive the stamp, feeding the strip of stamps forward, and affixing one at a time to an envelop. The next mechanism to be described is the means for holding the flap of the envelop in position tobe moistened, to meisten the gummed side of the flap, and finally to close the moistened gummed side of the flap on the envelop and efficiently seal it.

The envelop is first held by the verticallymovable platen hereinbefore described, and in order to hold the flap of the envelop in the desired plane while it is being moistened, assist in positioning the envelop, and prevent it from being passed through the sealing mechanism until the proper time we provide a movable vertical partition or wall K, constituting a retainer for securing the abovenamed purposes and mount it in slotted ways 7s. (See Fig. 25 This movable wall or partition is arranged substantially perpendicular to the table and at right angles with a guide la', (see Fig. 5,) all of which assists to locate the position of the envelop. In order to raise and lower thisA movable partition or wall at the proper-'times and permit the envelop to be discharged from its gu mining position and pass into and between the sealing-rolls L and L', this partition is provided with two downwardly-depending arms 7a2, (see Fig. 8,) adapt- IOO IIO

ed to be contacted by two cams 7a3 on the driving-cam shaft, so that such cams tend to raise the movable partition, and the weight of the partition itself tends to lower it into the position shown in the drawings. In order to moisten the envelop-flap, we provide what we term a moisture-holde1" M, preferably formed of felt, and secure it to the free edge of a plate M, which is pivotally mounted in two swinging arms M2, the lower ends of which are connected together by means of a crossbar m and which in turn is pivotally connected to a sliding bar M3 at m'. It is necessary to give this swin gin g plate, with its moistening-brush,a compound forward movement, so that it may contact a sponge in the spongeholder N and then be turned backward to permit it to be dropped and again moved forward to contact t-he envelop, as shown in Fig. 15. In order to accomplish this compound movement, a holding lever or arm O is provided, which is pivotally mounted upon a rock-shaft o and is held at it forward limit of motion by means of the spring 0. As shown in Fig. 9, the holding lever or arm is in position to hold the swinging plate,with its brush, in its up position and contact the sponge. To move it away from such position and let it drop into the position shown in Fig. 14, a cam O is provided and adapted to contact a lever O2 on the rock-shaft of the holding-le ver Y and operate the same, so as to throw the holdin g-lever back into the position shown in Fig. 14E. At the same time the cam M4 on the driving-cam shaft, which operates the brusharms and its slide, has permitted the sliding bar M3 to be turned back to the position shown in Fig. l5 by means of the spring m2, thus moving the lever on its pivot m3 in such a manner that the upper end is pushed forward and the brush contacts the flap of the envelop on the gummed side. The continued movements of the parts move the brush-levers backward at their upper ends and the holding-lever forward at its upper end, thus passing the brush across the flap of the envelop until the parts are again moved to the position shown in Fig. 9. The inclined projection O3 on the holding-lever is for the purpose of forming a rest, as it were, for the lower end of the brush and assist in moving it toward and holding it in contact with the gummed flap of the envelop as well as a stop to limit the forward motion of the lever.

Vhen the gummed envelop has been moistened, it is necessary to raise the movable wall or partition and force the moistened and stamped envelop into and between the sealing-rolls, so that such rolls may compress the iiap and body of the envelop together and iirmly afiix and seal them in such engagement. In order to do this, we provide a pair of discharging arms or levers P and P, which are mounted upon a rock-shaft p. These levers are held in their normal back position by means of a heart-shaped cam P2,\vhich contacts a roll 2J' on an arm p2, whichis engaged with the rock-shaft upon which the discharging-arms are mounted. During the rotation of this cam, which is mounted upon the driving-cam shaft, the roll p cornes opposite the depression in the cam and the coiled spring p3 is permitted to rock the rock-shaft and bring the discharging levers or arms into contact with the envelop and at the same time the movable partition is raised and forces the envelop into engagement with the sealingrolls, which seal and discharge the stamped and sealed envelop to the outside. The sealing-rolls are provided with spur-gears Zand Z', engaging with each other, while the gears Za and Z3 transmit power and motion from the driving-shaft to such rolls.

To operate the parts, the dri vin g-cam shaft is provided with a spur-gear Q, arranged to be engaged witlna vertically-movable rack R. This rack is held at its upper limit of motion by means of the helically-coiled springs o and r', which are engaged with the frame and with the connecting-rod R', extending down from the vertically-movable rack. The lower end of the rack is connected with a treadle S, so that the downward and upward movements of the rack are used to rotate the driving-gear. The drivinggear is loosely mounted on the driving-cam shaft and provided with a pawl Q', which is held in engagement with a ratchet Q2 by means of the spring Q3. It will thus be seen that the downward movements of the rack impart a rotary motion to the driving-cam shaft,while during the upward movement of the rack and the backward rotation of the gear the pawl is permitted to slip over the ratchet. Of course it will be understood that this means of operating the mechanisms can be dispensed with and the rotating-cam shaft driven in any suit.- able manner.

In operation an envelop is placed on the table of the machine so that its flap is open, as shown in one of the figures. The mechanism is then started and the platen forced down, so as to squeeze or grip the envelop between it and the table. The strip of stamps is next fed forward into position, the envelop moistened, and the stamp cutoff from the strip and affixed to the moistened envelop. The continued operations of the machine cause the swinging moistening-plate to be dropped and pushed forward. The supplemental lever is then operated so that its free end contacts the swinging plate and forces it against the gum med flap of the envelop, while the lever arms, which carry the swinging moistening-plate, are moved backwardly at their upper ends,causingsuch plate to wipe the gummed envelop. As soon as the gummed envelop flap has been moistened the cam mechanisms are so timed that the vertical partition is raised a short distance-in the vneighborhood of a quarterof an inch-and the discharging lever-arms vibrated so as to throw the envelop from its gumming or moistening position into engagement with the cylindrical IOO IIO

sealing-rolls, which affix and completely seal the gummed flap to the body of the envelop and at the same time discharge the envelop from the machine. r

We claim- 1. In a machine of the classdescribed, the combination. of a table adapted to receive an envelop to be held in position thereon, a vertically-movable clamp between which and the table the body of the envelop is clamped and held in position, means for giving a vertical movement to the clamp, means for holding a stamp in position for afiixing to the envelop, means for moistening one of such pieces, and means for affixing a stamp to the envelop, substantially as described. l

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to receive an envelop to be held in position thereon, a vertically-movable clamp between which and the table the -body of the envelop is clamped and held in position, means for giving a vertical movement to the clamp, means for holding a strip of stamps in position for axing a'stamp to an envelop, means for applying moisture to one of such pieces, means for cutting' a stamp from the strip and afxing it to an envelop, and means for feeding the strip of stamps into position step by step, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to receive and hold an envelop in a horizontal position thereon, a vertically-movable clamp between which and the table the body of the envelop is clamped and held, means for giving a vertical movement to the clamp, means for holdinga strip of stamps in position for afiixing a stamp to an envelop, means for applying moisture to one of such pieces, means for cutting a stamp from the strip and aftixing it to an envelop, and means for feeding the stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to receive an envelop to be held in a horizontal position thereon, a movable clamp between which and the table the body of the envelop is clamped and held in position to receive a stamp, means for holding a strip of stamps in position for affixing a stamp to an envelop, means for applying moisture to one of such pieces, means for cutting a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, means for feeding the stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, and means for discharging the stamped envelop after the stamp has been affix ed thereon, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table for holding an envelop in position, a movable partition to assist in holding the envelop in position, a movable platen or similar element for squeezing the envelop between it and the table, a vibrating lever adapted tocarry moisture-holding material and apply moisture to the surface of the envelop, means for operating the same, means for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, means for cutting olf a stamp from the strip and affiXing it to the envelop, means for operating the movable partition, and means for discharging the stamped envelop from its stamping position, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, a vertically-movable partition or Wall to assist in holding the envelop in position, means for operating the same at the proper time, a vertically-movable platen for grasping the envelop between it and the horizontal table, means for operating the same at the proper time, a lever adapted to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry moisture-holding material at one portion thereof and arranged to meisten a portion of the surface of the envelop, means for holding a strip of stamps, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, means for cutting off a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, and means for discharging the envelop from the table, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, a vertically-movable partition or Wall to assist in holding the envelop in position, cam mechanism for operating the partition at the proper time, a vertically-movable platen for gripping the envelop between it and the table, cam mechanism for operating the same at the proper time, a swinging lever arranged to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry a piece of moisture-holding material in contact with the surface of the envelop and meisten the same, cam mechanism for operating the swinging lever at the proper time, means for holding a strip of stamps, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-bystep manner, means for cutting olf a stamp from the strip and afiixing it to the envelop, and means for discharging the envelop from the table, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to receive an envelop to be held in horizontal position thereon, a movable clamp between which and the table the bod y of the envelop is clamped and held in position to receiveastamp,means for holding a strip of stamps and feeding it into position step by step for afixing a stamp to an envelop, means for applying moisture to one of such pieces, a vertically-movable plunger provided with a cutting edge for severing a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, cam mechanism for operating the stamp cutting and aftixing plunger at the proper time, and means for discharging the envelop from the table after the stamp is aflixed thereto, substantially as described.

IOO

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position, a vertically-movable partition orwall to assist in holding the same in position and prevent its discharge, cam mechanism for moving the vertically-movable Wall at the proper time to permit the` discharge of the envelop, means for'applying moisture to and aiiixing a stamp to the envelop, a lever-arm for discharging the envelop from the table at the proper time, and cam mechanism for operating the lever-arm, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding'an envelop in position to be operated on, a vertically-movable wall to assist in holding the envelop in position and prevent its discharge, cam mechanism for operating the vertically-movable Wall at the proper time to permit the discharge of an envelop, a verticallynlovable platen adapted to grip the envelop between it and the table, cam mechanism for operating the same, a swinging leverarranged to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry a piece of moisture-holding material into contact with the surface of the envelop, cam mechanism for operating the moistening-lever in one direction, spring mechanism for vibrating it in the opposite direction, a tube for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step Ainanneiymeans for cutting oft' a stamp from the strip and affixing it to an envelop, and means fordischarging the envelop from the table, substantially as described.

1l. In an apparatus ofv the class described, the combination of a horizont-altable for holding an envelop in position to be operated on, a vertically-movable wall to assist in holding the envelop in position and prevent its discharge, cam mechanism for operating the vertically-movable wall at the proper time to permit the discharge of an envelop, a verticallymovable platen adapted to grip the envelop between it and the table, cam mechanism for operating the same, a swinging lever arranged to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry a piece of moisture-holding material into contact with the su rfacc of the envelop, cam mechanism for operating the moistening-lever in one direction, spring mechanism for vibrating it in the opposite direction, a tube for conning and guiding a strip of stamps, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, a verticallymovable plunger provided with a cutting edge for cutting off a stamp from the strip and afixing it to the envelop, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating the plunger at the proper time or times, and means for discharging the envelop, substantially as described.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position to be operated on, a vertically-movable Wall to assist in holding the envelop in position and prevent its discharge, cam mechanism for operating the vertically-movable wall at the proper time to permit the discharge of an envelop, a verticallymovable platen adapted to grip the envelop between it and the table, cam mechanism for operating the same, a swinging lever arranged to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry a piece of moisture-holding material into contact `with the surface of the envelop, cam mechanism for operating the moistening-lever in one direction, spring mechanism for vibrating it in the opposite direction, a tube for holding a strip of stamps in position, means for feeding the strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, a verticallymovable plunger provided with a cutting edge for cutting off a stamp from the strip and afiixing it to the envelop, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating the plunger at the proper time or times, a swinging lever-arm arranged to contact the envelop and discharge the same from the table, and cam mechanism for operating -the discharging swinging lever-arm at the proper time or times, substantially as described. Y

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position to be opera-ted on, a vertically-movable partition arranged to assist in holding the envelop in position and prevent its discharge, depending arm mechanism attached to said partition, cam mechanism adapted to contact the depending arm mechanism of the movable partition and operate the saine at the desired time, a verticallymovable platen adapted to grasp an envelop between it and the table and provided with a depending arm, cam mechanism for operating this movable platen at the desired times, a tube for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, means for feeding a strip of stamps into position in a step-by-step manner, means for applying moistureV to the envelop, a vertically-movable plunger for cutting and affixing a stamp to the envelop, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating the vertically-movable plunger, and means for discharging the envelop from the table at the proper time, substantially as described.

14:. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position, a vertically-movable partition to assist in holding an envelop in position and prevent its discharge, means for operating the vertically-movable partition at the proper time, a vertically-movable platen for gripping an envelop between it and the table, means for applying moisture to the envelop, a slotted tube for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, finger mechanism for gripping the stamps, means for operating the finger mechanism to grip the stamps and move them forwardly in a step-by-step manner, a

A'vertically-n1ovable plunger provided with a cutter for cutting a stamp from the strip and afiixing it to the envelop, and means for dis- IOO IOS

charging the envelop, substantially as described.

l5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position, a vertically-movable partition to assist in holding an envelop in position and prevent itsdischarge, means for operating the vertically-movable partition at the proper time, a vertically-movable platen for gripping an envelop between it and the table, means for applying moisture to the envelop, a slotted tube for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, finger mechanism arranged above and below the slotted tube and adapted to be moved vertically and forwardly and backwardly to grasp the strip of stamps during its forward movement and release them during theirbackward movement,means for operating the linger mechanism verticallyand backwardly and forwardly, a verticallymovable plunger provided with a cutting edge for cutting a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, and means for discharging the envelop from the table, substantially as described.

1G. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a horizontal table to hold an envelop in position, a vertically-movable partition to assist in holding the envelop in position and prevent its discharge, depending arm mechanism on such movable partition, cam mechanism to operate the depending arm mechanism and the movable partition at the proper time and permit the discharge of the envelop, a vertically-movable platen for gripping the envelop between it and the table provided with a depending arm, a lever pivotally connected with the depending arm of the platen, cam-and-spring mechanism for operating the depending arm and platen at the proper times, a vibrating lever arranged to swing in a horizontal plane and adapted to carry moistening material to moisten the envelop, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating this moistening-leverat the proper times, a tube arranged in a horizontal plane or substantially so and provided with slots in its upper and lower portions for confining and guiding a strip of stamps, finger mechanism vertically movably mounted in a slide adapted to pass through the slots in the tube for gripping the stamps and moving them forward, means for moving the finger-slide back and forward at the proper times, means for operating the finger mechanism vertically to grip the stamp and release it at the proper times, a vertically-movable plunger for cutting off a stamp from the strip and affixing it to the envelop, and means for discharging the envelop from the table at the proper time, substantially as described.

n 17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame portion, a horizontal table for holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, a partition or wall vertically movably mounted in ways in the frame portion to assist in positioning the envelop and prevent its discharge, depending varm mechanism on this movable partition, cam mechanism to move the partition at the proper time to permit the discharge of an envelop, a vertically-movable platen provided with a depending arm mounted in a vertical guide 0n the frame of the machine forgraspingthe envelop between it and the table, a lever pivoted to the depending arm of the platen and the frame of the machine, cam-and-spring mechanism for operating this platen-lever and the platen at the proper time, a vibrating lever arranged to swing in a horizontal plane and carry a piece of moistening material into contact with the lower surface of the envelop, a sliding` bar arranged to Contact and operate the moistening-lever, a swinging lever arranged to operate this sliding bar, a cam-and-spring mechanism arranged to operate these swinging levers and sliding bars and carry the moistening material into contact with the envelop at the proper times, a slotted tube arranged in a horizont-al plane or substantially so for coniining and guiding a strip of stamps, a slide to move backward and forward and provided with two iingers vertically movably mounted therein and arranged to pass through the slots in the stamptube and grip a stamp during the forward movement of the same and release it during the backward movement of the same, cam mechanism for moving the slide backward and forward, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating the fingers vertically to grip the stamp and release it at the proper times, a vertically movably mounted plunger for cutting off a stamp from the strip and aiiixing it to the envelop, cam-and-lever mechanism for operating the plungerat the desired times, and means for discharging the envelop from the table at the proper time, substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the class described, the

holding an envelop in position to be operated upon, a movable partition or wall mounted in vertical guides in the frame of the machine, a depending arm arranged at or near each end of the movable partition, a rotating camshaft, a cam on the rotating cam-shaft for each of the depending arms to operate the same and move the partition at the proper times to permit the discharge of an envelop, a movable platen adapted to grasp an envelop between it and the table and provided with a depending arm mounted in vertical guides on the frame of the machine, a lever pivoted to the frame of the machine and the depending arm of the platen, a spring connected with the lever and with the frame of the machine to move the platen downwardly, and a cam on the rotating cam-shaft adapted to move the platen upwardly against the tension of the spring, a swinging lever arranged to vibrate in a horizontal plane and carry moistening material into contact with the lower surface of the envelop, a spring to move this combination of a frame, a horizont-al table for IOO IIO 

